STAMFORD, Conn. The Board of Education is allowed to negotiate with the school custodians' union, an issue clarified Wednesday after a challenge earlier this month from city Reps. Randall Skigen and Mary Fedeli.
My issue right now is not with the Board of Education, I think they did a fine job, Fedeli said during the boards Personnel Committee meeting. Under the Municipal Employee Relations Act, the school board has the power to negotiate the contract because the custodians are its employees, said Emmett Hibson Jr., director of human resources for Stamford. Paraeducators and security officers also fall under the act, he said.
Skigen and Fedeli had challenged the school board's authority after the board submitted a letter from Mayor Michael Pavia allowing it to negotiate. The letter from Pavia surprised Skigen because he thought he should have received a copy of it as well, Fedeli said. Skigen was not at the meeting Wednesday night.
The mayor cant give away your rights, Hibson said. Before this year, the Board of Representatives did the negotiating, despite the act.
Although the school board approved the contract during its June 21 meeting, it was questioned by Jerry Pia, who said the representatives had to approve the contract. You can do whatever you want to do, but its going to have to go to the Board of Representatives, Pia said at the time.
The committees agenda included an item to reject the tentative agreement between the school board and the custodians union. But it did not make a decision on the matter after hearing from Hibson and legal counsel.
Who do you think should negotiate the contract for the custodians and maintenance workers? Share your opinion below or e-mail reporter Anthony Buzzeo at [email protected].
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